Sain refused multiple attempts by The Jackson Sun before and after the commission meeting to comment.

More than 100 people attended the meeting, overflowing the Hardeman County Court main room. Most of the people in attendance were from Whiteville and opposed the ordinance.

“I moved out here because I wanted to live around the beauty and nature,” Dennis Inman, who owns land about a mile from the proposed Royal Oak site, said. “If I knew a charcoal plant was going to be here I would have never moved here. I don’t travel 130 miles a day to Memphis to work for convenience; I like the peacefulness.”

There were also concerns that the ordinance would violate Tennessee state law on spot zoning. Spot zoning is defined as the process of singling one small piece of land for a classified use that is totally different from that of the surrounding area, for the benefit of the owner of such property, and to the detriment of other owners.

During the public hearing portion of the meeting, Richard Rucker and Nick Crayton, two environmental and chemical consultants, asked the board to delay its vote in order to determine whether the zoning change would violate spot zoning laws.

They were followed by multiple Whiteville residents concerned about environmental issues.

“Royal Oak has a track record we’ve traced back the past few years for not being a good environmentally friendly neighbor,” Whiteville’s Commissioner Elvis White said. “The past few factories they’ve closed in the middle of investigations by the states' EPAs.”

There were also concerns about the state using eminent domain to build an access road from the proposed Royal Oak site to Highway 179.

Currently, only a narrow gravel road exists connecting the land Royal Oak bought to Highway 179.

Christy Johns owns about 25 acres of land right off Highway 179.

“I rely on this farm for income; it's been in my family for four generations,” Johns said. “Now the state wants to take my land again to build an access road.”

Johns has not been contacted by anyone in the county, state or from Royal Oak.

Royal Oak first announced they would be coming to Hardeman County in late July. The County Commission had not held a public hearing until Oct. 16, the day they approved the zoning ordinances.

“This is an industry, and we have industrial parks,” White said. “Nobody has been able to answer why they won’t go into an industrial park. They have been less than transparent — and that always raises a flag.”

The next step for the county and Royal Oak is to get the Tennessee Department of Transportation to approve a $3 million grant to build the access road to Highway 179.

According to Rep. Shaw, TDOT has given a verbal commitment that they’ll approve the road. Royal Oak will also have to pass Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations.

Who voted yes:

Gary Barber (District 2)

Chris Bell (District 1)

Bobby Doyle (District 7)

Mark Gillum (District 7)

Bobby Hansley (District 4)

Justin Howell (District 5)

Justin Howley (District 5)

Johnny Liner (District 5)

Mike Madden (District 1)

Jackie Sain (District 1)

John Vickers (District 6)

Who voted no:

Chandra Lake (District 3)

Viscen Morrow (District 3)

Mac Vaughn (District 5)

Johnny Weems (District 2)

Elvis White (District 3)

Bobby Wright (District 8)

Reach Adam Friedman by email at: afriedman@jacksonsun.com or call him at 731-431-8517.